Pack boot having an ankle pad integrated in a multi-ply inner bootie

ABSTRACT

A pack boot comprises an outer rubber shell and a multi-ply felt bootie removably fitted inside the outer rubber shell. The multi-ply felt bootie has inner and outer felt layers superposed one over the other. An ankle pad is inserted between the inner and outer felt layers of the multi-ply felt bootie and bonded thereto to provide additional ankle support while preserving the insulation properties of the multi-ply felt bootie.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to footwear and, more particularly, to a pack boot having a support ankle integrated in the boot liner to provide additional support around the wearer's ankle.

BACKGROUND ART

Pack boots typically comprises an outer weatherproof shell with a removable insulated liner. The insulated liner offers warmth but a loose fit, which make pack boots less comfortable to wear over long distances. A better fit around the wearer's feet is desirable but not to the detriment of the insulation properties of the pack books.

There is thus a need for a new pack boot.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a general aspect of the present application, there is provided a pack boot comprising an outer rubber shell, and a multi-ply felt bootie removably fitted inside the outer rubber shell, the multi-ply felt bootie having inner and outer felt layers superposed one over the other, the multi-ply felt bootie having a padded ankle area including an ankle pad inserted between the inner and outer felt layers of the multi-ply felt bootie and bonded to at least one of said inner and outer plies.

In accordance with a further general aspect, there is provided a pack boot comprising an outer boot shell; and an inner bootie adapted to snuggly fit inside the outer boot shell, the inner bootie having an inner and outer fabric layers, and an ankle pad inserted between the inner and outer fabric layers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a pack boot having an ankle pad disposed between two layers of a multi-layer felt liner to secure the boot to the wearer's foot and prevent lifting of the heel while walking or running, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the felt liner illustrating the positioning of the ankle pad between the inner and outer layers of the felt liner of the pack boot illustrated in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As will be seen hereinafter, the present application generally relates to the adaptation of form fitting ankle support material within a multilayered liner of a pack boot for providing an improve fit of the boot around a wearer's ankle while not compromising the insulation properties of the boot liner.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cold weather insulated pack boot 10 generally comprising an outer boot shell 12 and an insulating inner liner or bootie 14 shaped and configured to fit snugly within the internal volume defined by the outer boot shell 12. The inner bootie 14 is removably fitted in the outer boot shell 12.

The outer boot shell 12 can be provided in the form of a conventional rubber boot having a leather or canvas upper 16 with a molded rubber bottom 18.

The inner bootie 14 can be made of felt or other fabric materials providing insulation and protection against cold weather. As shown in FIG. 2, the inner bootie 14 is of a multi-ply or multilayered fabric construction. In the illustrated example, the inner bootie 14 comprises an inner felt layer 20 and an outer felt layer 22. The inner and outer felt layers 20 and 22 can be sewn or otherwise securely attached to one another. Like the outer boot shell 12, the inner bootie 14 has an upper and a bottom to respectively surround the ankle and the foot of the wearer. An ankle pad 24 is provided in the upper part of the inner bootie 14 between the inner and outer felt layers 20 and 22. The ankle pad 24 provides a snug fit around the wearer's ankle to prevent excessive heel lift when walking or running, thereby ensuring superior comfort and fit. The ankle pad 24 may be provided in the form of a pair of cushions facing each other from opposed sides of the bootie upper. Alternatively, the ankle pad may be provided in the form of a generally C-shaped cushion for extending around the entire back half of the ankle area of the wearer.

The ankle pad 24 is sandwiched between the inner and outer felt layers 20 and 22 and secured to at least one of the opposed facing sides of the felt layers 20 and 22. For instance, the ankle pad 24 may be bonded or adhesively secured to at least one of the inner and outer felt layers 20 and 22 prior to the assembly thereof.

By providing the ankle pad 24 between two adjacent layers of a multilayered inner bootie, the ankle pad 24 is protected from directly rubbing against the wearers ankle or against the interior of the outer boot shell 12 and is, thus, less subject to becoming detached from the inner bootie 14 over time. In this way, the ankle pad 24 does not need to be stitched to the inner bootie 14 but can rather be adhesively secured or bonded thereto, thereby avoiding the compression of the felt lining associated with the stitching of the padding material to the felt lining. Such a stitch-free attachment of the ankle pad 24 to the inner felt bootie is advantageous in that it allows preserving the insulation properties of the felt.

As can be appreciated from FIG. 2, the thickness of the inner bootie 14 is greater at the level of the ankle to ensure a snug fit around the ankle of the wearer. Such an ankle insert or pad provides additional lateral support to the wearer's ankle.

It is understood that the multi-ply inner bootie may have more than two layers and that these layers could be made out of different materials. It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims. 

1. A pack boot comprising an outer rubber shell, and a multi-ply felt bootie removably fitted inside the outer rubber shell, the multi-ply felt bootie having inner and outer felt layers superposed one over the other, the multi-ply felt bootie having a padded ankle area including an ankle pad inserted between the inner and outer felt layers of the multi-ply felt bootie and bonded to at least one of said inner and outer layers.
 2. The pack boot defined in claim 1, wherein a thickness of said multi-ply felt bootie is maximal at said paddle ankle area.
 3. The pack boot defined in claim 1, wherein the outer rubber shell has a leather upper and a moulded rubber bottom, and wherein the bootie has an upper and a bottom to respectively surround the ankle and the foot of the wearer, the bootie consisting of the inner and outer felt layers sewn together with the ankle pad trapped therebetween.
 4. The pack boot defined in claim 3, wherein the ankle pad consists of a pair of cushions facing each other from opposed sides of the upper of the bootie.
 5. The pack boot defined in claim 1, wherein the ankle pad has a stitch-free attachment to the multi-ply bootie.
 6. A pack boot comprising an outer boot shell; and an inner bootie adapted to snuggly fit inside the outer boot shell, the inner bootie having inner and outer fabric layers, and an ankle pad sandwiched between the inner and outer fabric layers.
 7. The pack boot defined in claim 6, wherein the inner and outer layers are made of felt, and wherein the ankle pad is adhesively secured to at least one of the inner and outer felt layers.
 8. The pack boot defined in claim 7, wherein the inner bootie is removably fitted inside the outer boot shell.
 9. The pack boot defined in claim 8, wherein the outer boot shell has a leather upper and a moulded rubber bottom, and wherein the bootie has an upper and a bottom to respectively surround the ankle and the foot of the wearer, the inner bootie consisting of the inner and outer felt layers sewn together at locations remote from the ankle pad.
 10. The pack boot defined in claim 9, wherein the ankle pad includes a pair of cushions facing each other from opposed sides of the upper of the inner bootie. 